Today, Solar Impulse took off from Moffett Field in Mountain View, Calif. It is expected to land in Phoenix, then head to Dallas, work its way to St. Louis and eventually finish its cross-country trip in Washington, D.C. and New York City.

The ultimate goal of the mission is to have a solar-powered plane fly around the world. The project's website lists some amazing facts about the HB-SIA: The average flying speed? 43 mph. The take-off speed? 27 mph. Maximum cruising altitude: 27,900 feet. Weight? 3,527 pounds. They also have details on the HB-SIB, a plane being built using the lessons learned from this one. HB-SIB is what they expect will be able to make the around-the-world trip.